As an amateur hunter, I used various blades to perform tasks like cutting, skinning, slicing, game processing etc and was struggling with most of them until my dad suggested I try a drop point knife once and since then, I haven’t looked back. It is my preferred option whenever I go hunting due to its big belly that helps me while performing any task effortlessly.
If you aren’t familiar with this blade, continue reading as I’m about to share about my favorite blade type.
What is a Drop Point Knife?
This knife comes with a 3-6 inch fixed blade, and has a curved spine near the last third of it. In some cases, the drop starts in the last part of the blade to make it subtle. It features a huge belly and once it ends, the blade is usually flat.
The unique design of the blade lets you cut meat, skin, fruits, vegetables etc smoothly. This knife is favorite amongst hikers, outdoors, campers and hunters.
What are Drop Point Blades Best Suited for?
1. Every Day Carry (EDC)
The fine tip of the blade lets you perform detailed work, and you can use the belly side for opening boxes, removing unwanted grass in your lawn, removing thread from the shirt, removing splinters, preparing food, slicing vegetables/ fruits and more.
2. Camping Tool
Having this knife for your camping would help you in multiple tasks like woodwork, chopping, cutting, and it can serve you as a survival tool.
Whenever I plan to go camping with my friends, I ensure it is packed in my backpack.
3. Hunting
It is the most common knife type for hunters because of its strong tip and thick belly. In a single motion, you can perform tasks like cutting, skinning, or chopping without much effort.
With this knife, I’ve processed games like Blacktail deer, sheep, Black Bear, Bison, wolf, etc.
I own multiple knives and some of my favorites are; Spyderco Native 5, Kershaw Covalent and Benchmade Mini Bugout.
4. Crafting
The strong tip of the blade lets you craft anything you want with accurate precision. Whether you want to create a Pop-out Swing Card or Clay Flower Ring, this knife could be pretty useful.
What makes a good drop point knife?
1. Steel
The most common steel used for drop point knives are stainless steel, as it is corrosion-resistant and is highly durable.
Many of my drop point blades are made out of stainless steel and I’ll recommend the same for you however, due to high-chromium content (13%), they aren’t easy to sharpen.
The other option you have is carbon steel. You have to take care of this more often than stainless because it gets the rust easily due to lack of chromium content but they are easy to sharpen.
2. Handle Materials
The best materials for the handle are:
- G10.
- Micarta.
- Rubber.
- Woods like myrtle and stag.
Try to ignore a metal handle as it could be slippery in harsh weather.
3. Brand
A drop point knife from a reliable brand can last for a long period due to their high-build quality. Although they might be slightly expensive, it is worth spending on them.
Some of the top brands I would recommend from my personal are:
- Spyderco.
- Kershaw.
- CRKT.
- Ka-Bar.
- Fallkniven.
- Buck.
- Benchmade.
- Kizer Knives.
- Chris Reeve.
- Civivi.
4. Pricing
A good drop point should be priced fairly even from a top brand. Budget knives could be anywhere between $10-$50 but they lack durability due to poor build. For better durability, you need to spend around $100 and premium models may cost even more.
Is a drop point knife legal in the U.S?
There is no specific guideline that prohibits the use of this knife in the United States. I live in Alaska and there is no restriction here. However, it is always recommended to double-check the laws in your state.
Pros of Drop Point Blades
1. Control
The drop point knife’s blade provides the luxury of controlling it while performing tasks like carving, skinning, slicing, etc. The tip’s location is more centralized, which is essential to perform these tasks for better accuracy and control.
2. Sturdy Tip
The curved spine design of the blade leads to a study tip, which enhances the overall strength of the blade. This structure is perfect for performing heavy-duty tasks like meat processing and batoning.
3. Cutting Surface
The belly design of the blade allows you to cut anything effortlessly.
4. Low maintenance
You can sharpen this knife without any specialized tools. A honing rod or a whetstone would be enough. With low maintenance, you can use the knife for a longer period.
Cons of Drop Point Blades
1. Less Piercing Ability
This knife may not be powerful for piercing. If you are considering this knife for this purpose, I recommend you look for other options.
2. Bulky
Some models might be bulky for everyday carry, as it comes with a heavy belly.
Want to know more about the drop point? This video may help you.
FAQs
1. Why are drop point knives so popular?
It is popular for its functionality and reliability. You can use an all-rounder knife to perform everyday tasks as well as outdoor tasks.
2. Are drop point knives good for self-defense?
Yes. Due to the strong tip of this blade, it is suitable for self-defense.
3. Which is better, tanto or drop point?
A tanto excels at piercing and is an excellent choice for survivalists and campers. Drop-point is a versatile knife suitable for all kinds of tasks and suitable for detailed work.
4. Are drop point knives good for everyday carry EDC?
Yes. It is an excellent choice for EDC due their compact size, versatility and reliability to perform daily tasks.
5. Is a drop point knife a good all-purpose knife?
Absolutely, Yes. It is because the strong tip and the belly are suitable to perform most takes like piercing, cutting, slicing, skinning etc.
6. What is the difference between clip point and drop point blade?
The clip point features a sharp and narrow tip, to perform tasks like piercing whereas the drop point blade features a strong tip and large belly suitable for hunters to perform tasks like skinning, game processing, butchering etc.
7. What is a drop point knife used for?
It can be used for a wide range of tasks such as hunting, camping, outdoor survival, everyday carry etc.
Conclusion:
I own over dozens of drop point knives from top brands and honestly, they haven’t let me down whenever I go hunting with them. I’ve loved them because I find it pretty easy to handle and operate while hunting. If you think I’ve missed any important point, do let me know and I’ll add it here. Cheers!
